Loading or unloading device.



No. 708,360. Patented Sept. 2, I902.

M. F. JOHNSON. LOADING 0R UNLOADING DEVICE.

(Application filed June 27, 1902.)-

(No Model.)-

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 708,360, dated September 2, 1902. Application filed June 27,1902. SerialNo. 113,526. (Nomodel) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILLARD F. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at PlumRiver, in the county of Jo Daviess and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loading or Unloading Devices; and I do hereby declare that the following is a f'ull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has for its object to provide a simple, strong, durable, and effective device that maybe readily connected to cars, sailing vessels, wagons, or other like conveyers by which the same may be loaded or unloaded, and may be also adapted to general farm use.

The invention consists in a loading and unloading device constructed substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of a loadingan'd unloading device constructed substantially in accordance with my invention, showing the sides of the device extended to increase its width, as indicated in dotted lines; Fig. 2, an under side plan view thereof; Fig. 3, a cross-section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrow. y

In the accompanying drawings the platform which comprises the main or body portion of the device is comprised of three sections, viz: a central section A and the two side sections B, of suitable length, width, and thickness and of metal or wood, as found most preferable. These three sections are connected by the transverse braces a b upon the under side thereof, the central section A being stationary while the two side sections B are pivoted tothe brace b, as indicated at a, so that the sections maybe extended laterally at the opposite ends to increase the width of the device to adapt it to the opening in the car, vessel, or other conveyer to which it is to be engaged. Any suitable means may be provided for pivotally connecting the side sections B to the stationary central section A, and any number of sections may be used as found best adapted to the purpose.

When the pivoted sections are laterally eX- tended, as indicated in dotted lines of Fig. 1 of the drawings, the extended end of the device is increased in width, and to allow of this lateral movement of the side sections the several sections are reduced in width at one end, as shown at (1, so as to allow the lateral movement of the side sections in increasing the width of the device. The sections A B have theirinner edges beveled, as shown at e, so as to prevent the contacting edges from freezing together, as there will be less contacting surface than were the edges perfectly flat or without bevel.

The device may be provided with steps f, if desired; but this is not essential, and the steps may be dispensed with or not, as preferred, and to limit the lateral movement of the sections B suitable stops 9 are provided, which are secured by extending downwardly the projecting ends of a transverse brace h, secured to the stationary and central section A. The pivoted sect-ions B are slightly greater in length than the central section A for convenience of taking hold of in moving the sections in or out, or any suitable means may be provided for this purpose, as found most desirable. Suitable guard-plates C are rigidly connected to the central section A and of sufficient width to overlap the pivoted sections B, so that when the pivoted sections .are extended the open space that will be left between said sections and the central section will be covered to guard against stock stepping through when loading or unloading. Suitable keepers D are pivotally connected with the central or stationary section A, the

keeper being preferablyof wire of the required thickness andbent at a right angle to form a pivot-rod 2' to engage eyes j on the outer ends of straps E F, which are secured to the central or stationary section,the wire being again bent at a right angle to provide a handle G, by which the keeper maybe brought into position to engage the sides of the opening in the car, vessel, or other conveyor and hold the device in place while loading or unloading is taking place. The handles G also provide means for lifting the device in properly adjusting it when it is to be used and may be of any desirable construction. These keepers D may be of any suitable construction and hinged or pivotally connecting with the stationary or central sections A in any suitable manner, as I do not desire to confine my invention to any special construction of keeper or in the manner in which it is pivoted or hinged. The handles G are provided with bolts it, so that when the pivoted sections B are extended the bolts will enter the boltholes Z and hold the sections in their extended position; and when the sections are closed, as indicated in full lines, the bolts will bear against the outer edges of the sections and hold them closed, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Having now fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A loadingand unloading device comprising a platform consisting of a central stationary section andpivoted side sections adapted to be extended to increase the width of the platform, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. Aloading and unloading device comprising a platform consisting of a central stationary section and pivoted side sections, said sections being beveled upon their inner or adjoining edges, substantially as .and for the purpose described.

3. A loading and unloading device comprising a platform consisting of a central stationary section and pivoted side sections, and guard-plates secured to the central stationary section and overlapping the pivoted side sections, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. A loading and unloading device comprisin g a platform consisting of a central stationary section and pivoted side sections, and pivoted or hinged keepers provided with suitable handles, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A loading and unloading device comprising a platform consisting of a central stationary section and pivoted side sections, and hinged or pivoted handles provided with bolts adapted to abut against the edges of the pivoted sections to hold them closed and to engage bolt-holes therein to hold them extended, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

MILLARD F. JOHNSON.

WVitnesses:

CHAS. F. GEISE, P. G. LINAWEAVER. 

